MAN CITY 1 – 0 West Brom – MY THOUGHTS
8 May
Three points, a clean sheet and no injuries; this was just the type of encounter Roberto Mancini would have desired before the FA Cup final at the weekend. While that competition offers the Blues the last chance of claiming silverware this season, this was still an entertaining affair, far removed from the soporific nature that engulfed the previous fixture with Swansea. There were chances galore, profligacy abound and enough promising signs from City in the build-up to Saturday and the trip to Wembley.
Mancini was able to rest pretty much all who will feature against Wigan, with only Carlos Tévez, James Milner and Samir Nasri in contention to be named in the side for the final. Those three were excellent on the night, supported by the energy and dynamism of Jack Rodwell in midfield, and with West Brom missing numerous opportunities, it meant that Edin Dzeko’s volley to cap off a fine City move was enough to secure the victory.
Rodwell was named man of the match at the ground and although most supporters felt Tévez pipped him to that, it was indubitably an impressive showing from the midfielder, his desire to be involved in all aspects infectious. His struggles with injuries are, of course, well-known but there have been enough promising signs in Rodwell’s infrequent appearances to suggest he could be exactly what City require.
He has a purpose to his play, an appetite to bomb forward from deep and link up with those ahead of him, and his surges into the opposition area will be rewarded with a goal sooner or later, such is the regularity with which he offers himself as an attacking option. All too often this season, against sides who pack midfield and defence, we have lacked a tempo and drive, yet Rodwell seems to offer that and more. If he can stay clear of his hamstring problems, and that’s a big if, he has all the qualities to make himself a fixture in our side.
Otherwise, it was Tévez who stood out last night, with flashes from Milner and Nasri, two players who are competing for the final spot in the team for the cup final. The former offers a greater work-ethic, better quality on the ball than he is given credit for and would provide width to stretch Wigan, but Nasri’s recent form, more proactive and purposeful, suggest he’ll get the nod. If the Frenchman had shown similar signs of willing and creativity throughout the season, there wouldn’t even be a debate, but while he has improved over the past month or so, Milner would be the safer bet. We shall have to wait and see.
Opposition View: West Brom showed more adventure than many visiting sides do at the Etihad, although that was perhaps aided by City’s resting of the entire back four and two central midfielders. Romelu Lukaku was a handful upfront, his physicality and strength in holding up the ball with his back to goal causing problems for Kolo Touré and Joleon Lescott but they lacked a clinical touch in front of goal and were made to pay.
As for the Blues, all attention now turns to Saturday and the chance to lift the FA Cup. The team will be much changed from the one which started this encounter and hopefully there will be more focus from all. City are favourites for the trophy but we’ve seen how Wigan do pose an attacking threat, even if their defending remains rather susceptible. With Tévez on this form, and with the likes of Silva and Aguero around him, should the Blues perform anywhere near to capacity, victory should be attained. Wembley awaits.
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